STREAMWOOD – Consumer fraud and identity theft are becoming a growing epidemic in our communities. To raise awareness and to promote prevention, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin), School District U-46 and Streamwood High School are offering free paper shredding services for area residents.

To help reduce the chances of identity theft, experts recommend shredding things like bank statements, credit card offers and credit card convenience checks. Residents should also shred canceled credit cards, canceled checks, pay stubs, old photo IDs and tax returns that are more than three years old.

To accommodate all participants the limit is two boxes of residential shredding per a person. Boxes and bags will be returned.